SECTION27 CONCERNED ABOUT PROGRESS IN DELIVERY OF TEXTBOOKS

SECTION27 is receiving many media enquiries about the state of the textbooks delivery. This statement is intended as an interim statement only to answer some of the questions that are being posed to us.

It is now hours away from the agreed-upon deadline for the delivery of textbooks to schools throughout Limpopo. SECTION27 is concerned that the Department of Basic Education (“the Department”) will not meet its deadline, but we do not have sufficient information or means of verification to say whether it will complete the delivery of textbooks today.

Last week, it was agreed that the delivery of textbooks for learners in Grades R, 1, 2, 3 and 10 would be completed by today, and that the Department would provide progress reports to
SECTION27 on Saturday 23 June 2012, Monday 25 June 2012 and Tuesday 26 June 2012.

To date, no detailed progress reports in respect of delivery of textbooks to primary schools have been provided, despite numerous requests. We have been informed by the Head of the
Intervention Team in an sms that delivery of textbooks for Grades R, 1, 2 and 3 has been completed. However, at the same time we have received reports from some primary schools that they have still received no textbooks at all.

While the progress reports we have received relating to Grade 10 textbooks reflect that the delivery is almost complete, we have reason to believe that some of these reports are not
accurate. For example, we spoke to one school, which is recorded by the Department as having received 99.7% of its textbooks. The principal of the school has confirmed that no books have been delivered. Another school recorded as having received 100% of its textbooks is still awaiting textbooks in three learning areas, including mathematics and physical science.

Despite many attempts, we have been unable to reach senior officials in the Department today to obtain urgent updates as to the state of delivery.

SECTION27 will make a further statement on this matter tomorrow.

We also call on the Department to organise for independent verification of their own progress reports as we fear that these reports may be inaccurate. We will also take whatever further steps are necessary to ensure compliance with the court order handed down on 17 May 2012.